2014 Chevy SS Will Cost Close to a Stingray

Chevrolet releases official pricing for the new SS high-performance sedan, but it doesn't cost much less than a new Corvette Stingray.

First and foremost, the good news is that the US once again has a big, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered sedan with the Chevy bowtie badge proudly displayed on its front grille. Picking up where the old Pontiac G8 left off, the Chevy SS may be built on the same platform but it comes with a host of improvements. Thing is, that’ll come at a price. Chevrolet has officially announced that the 2014 SS will carry a base sticker price of $44,470 and that includes the $995 destination charge.

 However, if you compare that number to the new Corvette Stingray, you’ll discover that the SS costs only about $7,500 less.Compared to the outgoing C6 Corvette, the SS is roughly $5,000 less. So the big question now is whether the Chevy SS is worth it, but consider this: it comes with a standard 6.2-liter V8 that produces 415 horsepower and can go from 0-60 mph in about five seconds. Options are limited to just a $900 sunroof and a $500 spare tire package. When compared to the Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series the SS is still a bargain, but for not much more dough, you could also be the proud new owner of a Stingray. Just something to ponder. 

 

Read More [...]

Posted in Chevrolet

Cadillac Donates First CTS VSport

The first performance version of Cadillac's new sports sedan will be auctioned off for charity.

It may still be a while before a new CTS-V comes along, but in the meantime Cadillac is keeping us interested with the VSport version of its latest CTS. Packing a twin-turbo V6 with 420 horsepower, the CTS VSport is equipped with 18" alloys, upgraded steering, Brembo brakes, an electronic differential and more. With all that kit, you can bet that fans of the Art & Science brand will be clamoring to get their hands on one. So who will get the honor? That depends on the outcome of a Barrett-Jackson auction to take place later this year

 

GM donated the car to the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Foundation after its senior VP for product development Mary Barra was honored with the organization’s Industry Leadership Award – the first woman to receive the prize in its 25-year history. The proceeds from the car’s sale will go towards the foundation’s outreach programs that seek to educate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

Read More [...]

Posted in Cadillac

Cadillac Day at Larz Anderson Museum

Over 100 Caddys, from classics to customs, turned up for Boston museum's opening lawn event of 2013.

The lawn event season kicked off over the weekend at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, and, as always, Cadillac Day was the opening event. Sponsored by the New England Cadillac & Lasalle Club, the show attracted over 100 cars from a 1933 LaSalle Cabriolet to a custom 1962 Cadillac wearing a custom paint job and air ride suspension. Upcoming shows at the museum, which recently paid host to a Cars and Coffee Boston meet, include Corvette Day, British Car Day, Extinct Car Day and Porschefest, all of which we hope to cover. Pictures come courtesy of Joshua Sweeney.

 

Read More [...]

Posted in Cadillac

Bugatti Owners Get Serious Privileges at Paul Ricard

At its ultra-exclusive yearly event Bugatti friends, fans and clients spent time on the circuit with some of the carmaker’s finest creations.

Each year, Bugatti invites clients to the Paul Ricard Circuit near Marseille in the South of France for a day driving with some of its finest supercars. This year, the French carmaker’s lead test driver and product specialist Pierre-Henri Raphanel was on hand to guide the fortunate few as they got to grips with the Grand Sport and Grand Sport Vitesse models at the circuit. The world-record setting Grand Sport VItesse World Record Edition also joined in the fun having recently hit 254 mph to make it the fastest roadster on the planet.

 

Read More [...]

Posted in Bugatti

Owner Wrecks $390k Bugatti Super Go Kart

After its brakes fail, this original 1924 Bugatti race car loses its grip and flips over. Its driver walks away and goes for a beer.

With a retail value of more than £250,000 (around $386,325), this original 1924 Bugatti suffered severe damage that will cost plenty to fix. Taking part in a vintage car race, the rare Bugatti was being driven by owner Edmund Burgess when it experienced brake failure and ultimately flipped over while taking a turn. Thing is, Burgess got stuck underneath the car in the process but managed to walk away unharmed. After getting the all clear by the paramedics and dusting himself off, he went straight to the bar for a beer.

The Bugatti, on the other hand requires some major repairs and it pains us to even think of what the total bill will come to. Fortunately Burgess can likely afford it and he plans to have the car up and racing in just eight weeks.

Read More [...]

Posted in Bugatti

Bentley Continental GT Sexed Up

How do you make the Continental GT even better? By simply adding more power and a sleek body kit.

Bulgarian design studio and tuner Vilner has just revealed the first photos of its latest project, a power upgrade and body kit for the new Bentley Continental GT. The most obvious changes come to the exterior as the body kit includes new front and rear fascias, side skirts, doors, hood, a rear spoiler and diffuser as well as enhanced wheel arches. Due to these new components, the big coupe’s length has grown by about 15 cm and is finished off in matte grey.

The interior receives a healthy dose of Alcantara and black leather trim along with uniquely designed panels that have replaced the typically standard wood bits. But perhaps Vilner’s most significant changes were made under the hood with the 6.0-liter W12 been upgraded from the standard 560 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque to a bonkers 660 hp and 575 lb-ft. Official performance numbers and pricing have yet to be revealed.

Read More [...]

Posted in Bentley

Bentley Flying Spur Heads to China

he Bentley Flying Spur may have a W12 engine, but for Chinese buyers the rear seats and its cushy features are the main attraction.

The new Bentley Flying Spur is quite a machine and is undoubtedly one of the finest luxury sedans in the world. Powered by a 6.0-liter W12 with 616 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, the new model dropped the "Continental" from its name, leaving that solely to its two-door counterpart. As Motor Trend feature writer Jonny Lieberman notes, it’s a good-looking sedan that comes with tons of power and plenty of amenities. Thing is, it’s being launched in China, a country where the rich prefer to be chauffeured around instead of being behind the wheel.

As such, Bentley focused a lot of attention into the layout and features of the rear passenger area and seats, such as a fridge that’s ideal for a bottle of champagne. Heck, even the upgraded audio system costs $7,500.

Read More [...]

Posted in Bentley